So little time…

So we’re playing tourists…

Carla’s still with us (she flies home in 2 days) so we spend a lot of time under the La Fayette Cupolla – she’s her mother’s daughter!  And, in the evenings, we gather in the most hospitable little garden in Paris… chez Florence et Delphine!

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Fireworks?  Probably also had something to do with Bastille Day!  We had to protect him from being jostled by the huge crowds in the Trocadero, and it was a painful long walk to the carpark – but he made it.  Florence taught me how to REALLY drive in Paris… and I found out that no insurance policies EVER cover you around the Arc de Triomphe! (more…)

Did not pass go – did not collect $200 – and will not be taking part in any cycle tour – this year.  As they say in the classics… Shit REALLY does happen.  On July 11th – my diagnosis of constipation turned out to be a very angry appendix – which (probably due to the laxative!) could not be operated on until later that evening.  On the upside… If you need an emergency operation – there are worse places to do it than Paris.  He’s recovering well, and he’ll be out of here later today – although it’s going to be some time before he can travel again.  It’s Bastille Day – and there’s fireworks tonight in the Trocadero!  More photos here.

Yes – and with a little unscheduled time on my hands… as you will see as you read on…  We travelled to Germany and Holland as planned, and then returned to Paris for the final 3 days.  We did all the tourist things – visited the Louvre, climbed the Eifel Tower… and then…

And, for the first time in several days, Patricia didn’t have to look after four hungry lads… My opinion?  The food on board was better…  It was a subdued evening.  We knew that something very special was coming to an end – we would be saying our farewells in the morning – and…

For the second time in 40 years, we would go our separate ways…

More photos here

A wonderful surprise – and it seemed everyone knew – except me…

There I was – wandering quietly back from the Internet Cafe after making yesterday’s post on the blog – when I ran into Keith.  He told me that he was going into Agen in search of a baguette (he had missed lunch) – so I took him to a bagette shop I knew of.  He changed his mind.  Then he wanted 3 more bottles of Mandarine Liqueur (so we could have one each for presents) – and I took him to a (more…)

The drive South, from Le Mans to Bordeaux was an uneventful 500 km drive (OK David – 300 miles) and we only got lost once.  Another of our famous ‘left turns’ at Bordeaux – and a final 150 km dash to Agen – to take delivery of the boat by 3:00 pm.

Then a radical change in pace for the next 7 days…

Across the famous Agen Canal Bridge – down through 4 locks to the Canal de Garonne – several more locks – a tight turn at Buzet – another lock – and down into the River Baise.  Two full days, cruising at 4 knots, to the navigation limits at Valence sur Baise.  And back again – slowly this time. Five days – through the 17th Century (and older) villages of Condom, Moncrabeau, Nerac, Lavardac, Vianne, Buzet (again) and back across the Canal Bridge to Agen.  Glorious places…

We’ll tell the story in pictures – and keep the captions brief…

A quick Happy 2006 to you gentlemen (and ladies) – yes a little ahead of time but one can’t rely on finding an internet cafe in Vietnam! The new year will be a great one for you all. Last day in Hoi An today – we are leaving with 5 suits, 2 dresses, 15 shirts, 4 pairs of shoes and 1 new suitcase…amongst other trinkets! Tomorrow we take a day sleeper to Nha Trang for three days and then night train to Saigon…or Ho Chi Minh City as they would have one say! Then Thailand… Having an amazing time. Vietnam has not managed to top Laos but has been interesting! We think you boys should cancel the Canal du Midi and bring a canal boat to the Mekong!

Much love, Carla

In 2000, my stepson, Christian Pancorvo – made a trip from Dover, Kent, England across the length of Africa to Cape Town, South Africa – by truck. I’ll let HIM tell you about it – here…

There’s a dark cloud over the Kent countryside today – darker than usual for this time of the year… David & Patricia’s little mate Alfie died this morning. Only 7 years old – but he gave (and received) a lot of love in that time. Perhaps there are a few squirrels in the orchard breathing sighs of relief…

“Euthanasia is the last great gift… it is when you take your dog’s pain and make it your own.”

I’m just back from the Noosa Triathlon – Asleigh, Kaydee and JB won the Junior Teams event – all with personal best times…  1500m Swim, 40km bike, 10km run.  They won the Junior Mixed Division in 2:03:42; 12 minutes ahead of 2nd place.  Ashleigh swum 21:38, Kaydee rode 1:06:52, JB ran 35:12.  I climbed Noosa Hill in about 1:30:00 – twice!  And, of course, there was a birthday party!

This is a bad luck story, it happened just a few weeks ago and there hasn’t been much bad luck in JB’s sporting career… I questioned the wisdom of bananas for breakfast – he didn’t seem to… (more…)